Our Present Trouble and 2 Corinthians 1

Nowhere have I found in the Bible that following Jesus would be easy, but somewhere in the back of my mind, I always thought it would be easy, you know, "the good life." Let me express that living for Jesus is "the good life." However, suffering is also a part of walking with Jesus. "The good life" is actually about denying yourself, dying daily, and following Jesus.

Reading the beginning of 2 Corintians gave me perspective on Sarah's and my own life. These last 2 months have been some of our most difficult times in Siloam Springs. My actions are starting to change regarding adversity. At the beginning of 2010, my prayers were mostly, "God save us!" or in greek "Hosanna!" In 2 Corinthians 1, Paul talks about God comforting us in our tribulation, but also with the purpose of giving us the understanding to comfort others. There are situations where God does deliver us out of our difficulties, and many times where we need someone who is just to take up our cause. Here though, Paul is talking about endurance and strength and the impartation and encouragement to others.

Somehow, refinement was not on my mind when we moved. I want to think my spirit would have been willing, if I had understood with my mind. In early last year, my mind was thinking of a springboard into becoming this great leader in ministry. What I found in 2010 was refinement and a building of endurance. Oh, Jesus never left us or gave us more than we could handle. He is worth of praise. I was without a job for 6 months, yet we were always able to pay our expenses and bills. He gave me a great job working on computers. He really did grow us spiritually, leaps and bounds actually.

In December, some of Sarah's health issues intensified. We were praying to God for answers. There were some fruitful victories in prayer for Sarah and I. Many were praying on our behalf both in person and privately. Prayer brought some inner healing for some deep struggles. The physical difficulties persisted. We felt that the Lord's plan was for us to visit our doctor. This proved fruitful as well, though with its own hardships. Through this season of difficulty, Sarah and I have chosen to pray to the Lord and strengthen ourselves in Him. I know that this is a time of preparation for the next season of our lives.

I see two more fruits from 2 Corinthians that the Lord is building in our lives. First, in both enduring the trial and being comforted through the trial it is for the "consolation and salvation" of others. Paul was speaking directly to the Church of God in Corinth and the region of Achaia. We love being equipped more and more to impact NW Arkansas and NE Oklahoma. Our calling is also to the nations. We look forward to the day when we are released to other cultures.

Secondly, Jesus is wanting to firmly establish us in Him. In verse 7 of 2 Corinthians 1, Paul expesses that his hope for the Church in Corinth and Achaia is steadfast. Paul knew what consolation they would receive, because he and those around him experienced the same consolation. We want to be rooted and grounded in Christ, so that we are able to stand firm in any situation and profess that Jesus is good and, that He is worthy of receiving all of our lives. We want to be like Matthew 7:24-25, building our house on the rock. We are very much in the midst of the refinement of the Lord.

Even in this season, we need to be reminded and encouraged of everything that I have written in our blog. If you are looking for a way to encourage us, remind us of His love for us. Pray that we won't be distracted from Jesus, come what may. Pray that we will turn to Jesus in every situation and for all of our needs. We need your accountability and fellowship. Feel free to check up on us, ask us how our lives with Christ are going, and find out what He is doing and saying in our lives.

Many blessings in Christ

Curt and Sarah